Capital One Bowl Staff Picks

Published: Saturday, January 1, 2011 at 3:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Friday, December 31, 2010 at 6:15 p.m.

Staff picks for the 2010 Capital One Bowl in Orlando between Alabama and Michigan State.

Cecil Hurt
Alabama 27,
Michigan State 20
It has been a nice reunion week for Nick Saban and Mark Ingram, both heavily invested in Michigan State at some point in the past. But this game isn’t about the past for Alabama. It is about setting a tone for 2011. This is a chance for young players who have germinated all year to emerge. So if Alabama wins, it may win with some improbable stars.

Chase Goodbread
Michigan State 24,
Alabama 20,
Michigan State’s downhill rushing attack may have its problems against an Alabama run defense that has performed solidly all season, but quarterback Kirk Cousins has the arm and the receivers to hurt an Alabama secondary playing without its best starter, the injured Mark Barron. On the other side, the effectiveness of the Alabama offense may depend in large part on whether five weeks between games gives the UA rushing attack the same spring in its step that it showed in September. If not, MSU finds a way.

Andrew Carroll
Alabama 34,
Michigan State 28
How much does this Alabama team have left after the stinging loss to Auburn? Alabama showed in the first half that it was capable of a dominating performance, but the Tide still missed out on touchdown opportunities. This is a bowl game with no championship on the line, so the players should have some fun. Michigan State is somewhat like Auburn from having been tested in tough games, and the Spartans found a way to win all but one. If the talent is relatively equal on both sides, then the winner will be the team that plays inspired football and doesn’t let opportunities slip away.

Michael Southern
Alabama 31,
Michigan State 21
Alabama has not played well when it ventures outside of Bryant-Denny Stadium so it will be interesting to see if the Crimson Tide can regroup after the long layoff following the disappointing loss to Auburn. Mark Barron will be missed in the secondary, but Mark Ingram should have plenty of motivation playing against his father’s alma mater. Michigan State shared the Big Ten championship, but had a lopsided loss to Iowa and struggled in late-season victories over Purdue and Penn State. The Crimson Tide will be the most athletic team the Spartans have faced this year.

Edwin Stanton
Alabama 24,
Michigan State 17
Michigan State is a very good football team. The Spartans lost just once this season and this is a team that finds a way to win close games. And they are not afraid to try a few tricks — anyone remember the fake field goal against Notre Dame? Gutsy call, and it worked. The offense is led by running back Edwin Baker and quarterback Kirk Cousins. Both can put up big numbers and will be very hard to stop. Alabama hasn’t won the close games as it did a year ago. LSU and Auburn slipped through its fingers and it dug itself into too deep a hole against South Carolina. I think Alabama has better athletes and better coaches than Michigan State. What sets them apart this season is toughness — physical and mental. But it’s been a month since the Tide has played and I think Bama gets it done today.

Harold Stout
Michigan State 24,
Alabama 21
I want to pick Alabama for a variety of reasons: I’m a fan, though not a championship team this is still a very good football team, there are players on both sides of the ball capable of making game-breaking plays. But the second half of the game worries me. The Tide has shown it can stomp its way past most anybody for a half, but it has also shown a knack for buckling under pressure of aggressive teams in the second half. Alabama may be ahead at the half. But the key will be Alabama’s ability to adjust its game plan to counter Michigan State’s halftime adjustments. The Tide can’t afford to play the second half trying to protect a lead. It has to come out sharp and be aggressive and play to win. It’s easy to say, but not so easy to accomplish in a couple of games this season.

Matt Burrowes
Alabama 23,
Michigan State 14
The question is not whether Alabama is better or more talented than Michigan State. The question is whether the Crimson Tide can get motivated enough and not have a repeat of the 2009 Sugar Bowl against Utah. I’m banking coach Nick Saban having his players foaming at the mouth to get at the Spartans. Injuries hampered the Tide late in the season, but after a month and a half of rest UA should be fully recovered — especially across the offensive line. Look for running backs Mark Ingram and Trent Richardson to set the tone early on a MSU defense that gives up more than 100 yards on the ground. The Spartan offense will have a tough time moving the ball against a Tide defense that gives up only 14 points a game. After a lackluster season, Alabama’s defensive front wants to go out with a bang and I’m sure they will.

Aaron Suttles
Alabama 27,
Michigan State 17
I just don’t think the Spartans can consistently move the ball enough to put the required points on the board that it will take to beat Alabama. The only thing that troubles me — and I’m sure it’s troubling everyone at home as well — is whether the Crimson Tide is motivated to play in this game. That’s impossible to know. Mark Barron will not play so how will Alabama’s secondary handle that change? Will someone and fill the void or will there be more breakdowns in the secondary that have proved costly at various points of the season? It could be your last time to watch Mark Ingram, Julio Jones and Marcell Dareus in a crimson jersey. I expect a big game from Jones. When healthy, he has no equal. It’s safe to say no defensive back from Michigan State has faced as physical and talented a receiver as No. 8. I just don’t think the Spartans can consistently move the ball enough to put the required points on the board that it will take to beat Alabama. The only thing that troubles me — and I’m sure it’s troubling everyone at home as well — is whether the Crimson Tide is motivated to play in this game. That’s impossible to know. Mark Barron will not play so how will Alabama’s secondary handle that change? Will someone and fill the void or will there be more breakdowns in the secondary that have proved costly at various points of the season? It could be your last time to watch Mark Ingram, Julio Jones and Marcell Dareus in a crimson jersey. I expect a big game from Jones. When healthy, he has no equal. It’s safe to say no defensive back from Michigan State has faced as physical and talented a receiver as No. 8.

Chris Rattey
Alabama 24,
Michigan State 21
I'm really on the fence. I don't see this game being lopsided at all, and Michigan State is going to come in with a chip on its shoulder playing the disrespect card. That's never an easy opponent. While Alabama wants to right the ship and end on a positive note, Michigan State has more motivation to take down a heavy favorite that stands 9 spots behind them in the polls. The math doesn't make sense, and the Spartans are going to give the Tide a run for its money, and could pull off the upset with a little luck.

<p>Staff picks for the 2010 Capital One Bowl in Orlando between Alabama and Michigan State.</p><!-- Nothing to do. The paragraph has already been output --><img src="/assets/images/bobbleheads/cecil.jpg" border="0" align="left"><b>Cecil Hurt</b><br>
Alabama 27,<br>
Michigan State 20<br>
It has been a nice reunion week for Nick Saban and Mark Ingram, both heavily invested in Michigan State at some point in the past. But this game isn't about the past for Alabama. It is about setting a tone for 2011. This is a chance for young players who have germinated all year to emerge. So if Alabama wins, it may win with some improbable stars.
<br><br>
<img src="/assets/images/bobbleheads/goodbread.jpg" border="0" align="left"><b>Chase Goodbread</b><br>
Michigan State 24,<br>
Alabama 20,<br>
Michigan State's downhill rushing attack may have its problems against an Alabama run defense that has performed solidly all season, but quarterback Kirk Cousins has the arm and the receivers to hurt an Alabama secondary playing without its best starter, the injured Mark Barron. On the other side, the effectiveness of the Alabama offense may depend in large part on whether five weeks between games gives the UA rushing attack the same spring in its step that it showed in September. If not, MSU finds a way.
<br><br>
<img src="/assets/images/bobbleheads/carroll.jpg" border="0" align="left"><b>Andrew Carroll</b><br>
Alabama 34,<br>
Michigan State 28<br>
How much does this Alabama team have left after the stinging loss to Auburn? Alabama showed in the first half that it was capable of a dominating performance, but the Tide still missed out on touchdown opportunities. This is a bowl game with no championship on the line, so the players should have some fun. Michigan State is somewhat like Auburn from having been tested in tough games, and the Spartans found a way to win all but one. If the talent is relatively equal on both sides, then the winner will be the team that plays inspired football and doesn't let opportunities slip away.
<br><br>
<img src="/assets/images/bobbleheads/southern.jpg" border="0" align="left"><b>Michael Southern</b><br>
Alabama 31,<br>
Michigan State 21<br>
Alabama has not played well when it ventures outside of Bryant-Denny Stadium so it will be interesting to see if the Crimson Tide can regroup after the long layoff following the disappointing loss to Auburn. Mark Barron will be missed in the secondary, but Mark Ingram should have plenty of motivation playing against his father's alma mater. Michigan State shared the Big Ten championship, but had a lopsided loss to Iowa and struggled in late-season victories over Purdue and Penn State. The Crimson Tide will be the most athletic team the Spartans have faced this year.
<br><br>
<img src="/assets/images/bobbleheads/edwin.jpg" border="0" align="left"><b>Edwin Stanton</b><br>
Alabama 24,<br>
Michigan State 17<br>
Michigan State is a very good football team. The Spartans lost just once this season and this is a team that finds a way to win close games. And they are not afraid to try a few tricks — anyone remember the fake field goal against Notre Dame? Gutsy call, and it worked. The offense is led by running back Edwin Baker and quarterback Kirk Cousins. Both can put up big numbers and will be very hard to stop. Alabama hasn't won the close games as it did a year ago. LSU and Auburn slipped through its fingers and it dug itself into too deep a hole against South Carolina. I think Alabama has better athletes and better coaches than Michigan State. What sets them apart this season is toughness — physical and mental. But it's been a month since the Tide has played and I think Bama gets it done today.
<br><br>
<img src="/assets/images/bobbleheads/stout.jpg" border="0" align="left"><b>Harold Stout</b><br>
Michigan State 24,<br>
Alabama 21<br>
I want to pick Alabama for a variety of reasons: I'm a fan, though not a championship team this is still a very good football team, there are players on both sides of the ball capable of making game-breaking plays. But the second half of the game worries me. The Tide has shown it can stomp its way past most anybody for a half, but it has also shown a knack for buckling under pressure of aggressive teams in the second half. Alabama may be ahead at the half. But the key will be Alabama's ability to adjust its game plan to counter Michigan State's halftime adjustments. The Tide can't afford to play the second half trying to protect a lead. It has to come out sharp and be aggressive and play to win. It's easy to say, but not so easy to accomplish in a couple of games this season.
<br><br>
<img src="/assets/images/bobbleheads/burrowes.jpg" border="0" align="left"><b>Matt Burrowes</b><br>
Alabama 23,<br>
Michigan State 14<br>
The question is not whether Alabama is better or more talented than Michigan State. The question is whether the Crimson Tide can get motivated enough and not have a repeat of the 2009 Sugar Bowl against Utah. I'm banking coach Nick Saban having his players foaming at the mouth to get at the Spartans. Injuries hampered the Tide late in the season, but after a month and a half of rest UA should be fully recovered — especially across the offensive line. Look for running backs Mark Ingram and Trent Richardson to set the tone early on a MSU defense that gives up more than 100 yards on the ground. The Spartan offense will have a tough time moving the ball against a Tide defense that gives up only 14 points a game. After a lackluster season, Alabama's defensive front wants to go out with a bang and I'm sure they will.
<br><br>
<img src="/assets/images/bobbleheads/suttles.jpg" border="0" align="left"><b>Aaron Suttles</b><br>
Alabama 27,<br>
Michigan State 17<br>
I just don't think the Spartans can consistently move the ball enough to put the required points on the board that it will take to beat Alabama. The only thing that troubles me — and I'm sure it's troubling everyone at home as well — is whether the Crimson Tide is motivated to play in this game. That's impossible to know. Mark Barron will not play so how will Alabama's secondary handle that change? Will someone and fill the void or will there be more breakdowns in the secondary that have proved costly at various points of the season? It could be your last time to watch Mark Ingram, Julio Jones and Marcell Dareus in a crimson jersey. I expect a big game from Jones. When healthy, he has no equal. It's safe to say no defensive back from Michigan State has faced as physical and talented a receiver as No. 8. I just don't think the Spartans can consistently move the ball enough to put the required points on the board that it will take to beat Alabama. The only thing that troubles me — and I'm sure it's troubling everyone at home as well — is whether the Crimson Tide is motivated to play in this game. That's impossible to know. Mark Barron will not play so how will Alabama's secondary handle that change? Will someone and fill the void or will there be more breakdowns in the secondary that have proved costly at various points of the season? It could be your last time to watch Mark Ingram, Julio Jones and Marcell Dareus in a crimson jersey. I expect a big game from Jones. When healthy, he has no equal. It's safe to say no defensive back from Michigan State has faced as physical and talented a receiver as No. 8.
<br><br>
<img src="/assets/images/bobbleheads/rattey.jpg" border="0" align="left"><b>Chris Rattey</b><br>
Alabama 24,<br>
Michigan State 21
<br>
I'm really on the fence. I don't see this game being lopsided at all, and Michigan State is going to come in with a chip on its shoulder playing the disrespect card. That's never an easy opponent. While Alabama wants to right the ship and end on a positive note, Michigan State has more motivation to take down a heavy favorite that stands 9 spots behind them in the polls. The math doesn't make sense, and the Spartans are going to give the Tide a run for its money, and could pull off the upset with a little luck.